The Gift

Dedicated to my father

A young man
dreaming his mother’s dream
a land beyond ocean’s depth
where freedom and adventure live

A young man with his bride
chasing his dream of another land
crossing the stormy angry Atlantic
fearing together they dare a new life

Strange culture strange language
scared and lonely struggling to live the dream
pursuing love pursuing hope
determined to give the gift

A daughter is born
learning the old ways with the new
adapting, growing, blossoming
in this land given to her Canada

Remembering my roots
remembering my history
embracing a new culture
creating the future, my gift

By Janette Wittwer
(written many years ago)